Selvedge uncurling apparatus and method



June 28, 1960 J. B. HOWITT SELVEDGE UNCURLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Jan. 31, 1956 4 Sheets-Shut 1 IN VEN TOR. J HOW/T7 Arrow/v06 June 28,. 1960 J. a. HOWITT 2,942,322

sswzncs UNCURLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Jan. 31. 1956 r 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. f/ow/ 77- June 28, 1960 J. B. HOWITT 2,942,322

SELVEDGE UNCURLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Jan; 31, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR.

L8.h'0w1rr 57. BY v Arm/vans June 28, 1960 a. owl-nv I 2,942,322 I SELVEDGE UNCURLING APPARATUS AND METHOD I I Filed Jan. 31, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 XNX ""5 .mml

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J 'B. HOW/Tr United States Patent SELVEDGE UNCURLING APPARATUS AND METHOD James B. Hewitt, Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, as-

signor to Canadian Celanese Ltd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a corporation of Quebec Filed Jan. 31, 1956, Ser. No. 562,525

14 Claims. (Cl. 26-54) This invention relates to fabric handling apparatus and relates more particularly to an apparatus for uncurling the edges of a fabric and setting the same in an uncurle condition. I

The edges of certain types of fabric, for example, warp knit fabrics, have a strong tendency to curl. This curling is undesirable since it allows the edges of the fabricto draw. in sharply and, when the fabric is wound to form a roll, produces a roll having very bulky edges. The winding of the fabric whose edges have curled tends to crease the fabric so that more attention must be paid to the fabric during the finishing operations to ensure that the said creases are removed therefrom. The curling of the edges of the fabric also interferes with the processing of the said fabric.- For example, if the fabric is automatically scanned for defects as it leaves the machine on which it is produced, employing an apparatus of the type disclosed in -S anl y et al Can i n P tent No. .22.

then the curled edges interfere with the scanning apparatus and effectively prevent a complete scanning of the fabric.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a fabric handling apparatus which will be free from the foregoing and other disadvantages.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fabrichandling apparatus which will uncurl the edges of afabric and set the same in an uncurled condition.

. Another'object of this invention is to stretch the fabric in the grey state and gain extra width for dye-house treatment.

Other objects of this invention, together with certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will be apparent from the following detailed description and claims.

According to the present invention, there is provided means for positively engaging the edges of the fabric at a point before the said edges have curled appreciably. The said means then hold the edges of the fabric from curling further, or preferably, stretch the fabric transversely of its length as the fabric moves longitudinally. While the edges of the fabric are being held by said means, the said edges are treated to set the stitches therein so that the edges of thefabric will show no further tendency to curl.

The fabric engaging means may advantageously comprise an' endless member, such as a chain, belt, Wheel, series of wheels, or the like provided with a series of projections extending outwardly therefrom. The endless member moves in such a manner that a. portion of its path extends generally along the edge of the fabric, but is inclined outwardly away from the center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric. Suitable guide means .areprovided for directing the edge of the fabric to engage the projections whereby the fabric will be held securely at its edge and will be prevented from curling further. The movement of the fabric will move the endless member, stretching the fabric transversely to bring it to a flat, relatively taut state. It is, of course, possible to provide a positive drive for the endless member to move it ata rate synchronous with the movement of the fabric,

ice

2 but it is preferred to rely on the movement of the fabric to drive said member in the interests of simplicity. Fabric engaging means are, of course, provided for each edge of the fabric.

While the fabric is being held by the fabric engaging means, the edges thereof are treated to set the stitches therein. One particularly advantageous way to efiect such treatment it to provide a heating element adjacent the fabric engaging means whereby the heat from said element will raise the temperature of the fabric to the point where the stitches are set. Such heating means may comprise a block having an electric heating element therein. Means may be provided for controlling the current through said heating element to raise the temperature of the block to the desired point.

The apparatus of this invention is designed for the treatment of fabrics containing fibers that are thermoplastic and may be set through the action of heat. Examples of such fibers are organic acid esters of cellulose, such as cellulose acetate, polyamides, polyesters, polyaminotriazoles, polyurethanes, and polymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride.

Following the treatment of the fabric, its edges show no tendency to curl. As a result, it may be automatically scanned for defects. as it leaves the machine on. which it is produced. It may also be wound into a roll free from the bulky edges that previously characterized rolls 'of such fabric. 1

Preferred embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:.

Fig. l is a plan view of the apparatus, the portion of apparatus for handling only one edge of the fabricbeing shown in the interests of clarity, the portion of the apparatus for handling the other edge being of identical construction,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. l of'the drawings,

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectionalview taken along the line 4-4 inFig'. 3 of the drawings,

Fig; '5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5 -5 in'Fig, l of the drawings,

Fig. 6 is a plan view'of a modified form of apparatus,

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6 of the drawings,

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the fabric guide shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of another modified form of appa Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown'in Fig. 9, and

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11.11in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to. Figs. 1 to. 5 thereof, the reference numeral 11 designates a Warp-knit fabric Whose edge 12 tends to curl as the said fabric leaves the knitting machine on which it is produced. A own in Fig. l of; the drawings, the fabric 11' tends to draw in to a narrower width owing to the curling'of the edge 12. If left unchecked, the curling will. continue until a roll including several inches of the fabric 11' will form at the edge 12. To uncurl the edge 12 audio set the said edge in an uncurled conditionsothat it will no longer exhibit any tendency to curl, the fabric 11 is entered into. an uncurling device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 13. The uncurling device 13 comprises an endless chain formed of a plurality of individual links 15 having points doprojecting outwardly therefrom. The chain 14 is trained around an ovate fiat metal plate which is positioned inwardly of the edge '12 of'the fabric 11 in such a manner that the portion ofthe' path of the said chain furthest removed from the center of the fabric 11 is inclined away from.the center line of the said fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric. The plate 17' is supported in a position parallel to and spaced slightly from the plane of the fabric 11 by means of a bracket 18 to which it is fastened with screws 19. The bracket 18 is adjustably fastened by means of a bolt and nut 21 to a clamp 22 that engages a rod 23 forming a part of the knitting machine frame. To insure ready adjustability of the bracket 18, the corner of the said bracket that is engaged by the bolt 21 is dished to a hemispherical shape and fits into a similarly shaped recess in the clamp 22. 'To keep the chain 14 from twisting, there is provided. a retaining plate 24 (Fig. 3) which engages the outer edge of said chain and is secured to the bracket 18 by means of screws '25.

- As-the fabric 11 moves into the uncurling device 13, its

edge 12 is forced onto the points 16 projecting from the chain 14 by means of a curved wire guide 26 extending around the said chain, which wire guide 26 is supported on a strap 27 fastened to the bracket 18 with screws 28. The movement of the fabric 11 causes the chain 14 to rotate around the plate 17 so that the inclination of the path of the chain will stretch the said fabric transversely of its length and keep its edge 12 from curling.

Positioned below the fabric 11 and underneath the uncurling device 13 is a heating assembly, indicated generally by reference numeral 29. The heating assembly 29 comprises a metal block 31 in which is positioned an electrical heating cartridge 32. The block 31 is surrounded by layers of asbestos insulation 33 and the whole is supported by means of a bracket 34 that is adjustably secured to the bracket 18 by means of a bolt and nut assembly 35. The heat radiated from the heating assembly 29 sets the stitches in the edge portion of the fabric 11 so that when the said fabric drops oif the chain 14 it will no longer exhibit any tendency to curl.

Alternatively, instead of using a plate to guide the chain 14 sprockets, pulleys or the like could be used for this purpose.

Figs. 6 to 8 of the drawings show a modified form of apparatus in which the reference numeral 36 designates a warp-knit fabric whose edge 37 tends to curl as the said fabric leaves the knitting machine on which it is produced. To uncurl the edge 37 and to set the said edge in an uncurled condition so that it will no longer exhibit any tendency to curl, the fabric 36 is entered into an uncurling device, indicated generally by reference numeral 38. The uncurling device 38 comprises a wheel 39 having points 41 projecting outwardly therefrom. The wheel 39 is rotatably supported in a position parallel to and spaced slightly from the plane of the fabric 37 on a ball-bearing 42 that is fastened to a bracket 43 by means of a bolt and nut .44. A cover 45 is positioned over the wheel 39 to prevent accidental contact with the points 41.

As the fabric 36 moves into the uncurling device 38', its edge 37 is guided onto the points 41 projecting from the wheel 39 by means of wire guides 46 that are secured to the bracket 43 with fittings 47. The movement of the fabric 36 causes the wheel 39 to rotate so that the in clination of the periphery of said wheel will stretch the said fabric transversely of its length and keep its edge 37 from curling.

Positioned below the fabric 36 and underneath the uncurling device 38 is a heating assembly, indicated generally by reference numeral 48. The heating assembly 48 comprises a metal block 49 in which is positioned an electrical heating cartridge 51. The block 49 is embedded in a mass of thermal insulation 52 and is supported from the bracket 43 by means of a bolt and nut assembly 53. The heat radiated from the heating assembly 48 sets the stitches in the edge portion of the fabric 36 so that when said fabric drops off the wheel 39 it will no longer exhibit any tendency to curl.

The bracket 43 is secured to the machine frame by means of a bolt 54.

Figs. 9 to 11 of the drawings show a form of apparatus in which the reference numeral 55 designates a warp-knit fabric whose edge 56 tends to curl as the said fabric leaves the knitting machine on which it is produced. To uncurl the edge 56 and to set the said edge in an uncurled condition, the fabric 55 is entered into an uncurling device, indicated generally by reference numeral 57. The uncurling device 57 comprises three wheels 58 having points 59 projecting outwardly therefrom. The wheels 58 are arranged along a line generally parallel to the edge of the fabric 55 and are rotatably supported on ballbearings 61 fastened to a plate 62 by screws 63'. The edges of the wheels 58 overlap one another and the said wheels are positioned in planes parallel to and spaced slightly from the plane of the fabric 55. The plate 62 is adjustably fastened by means of a strap 63 and a clamp 64 to a rod 65 over which the fabric 55 passes after it leaves the uncurling device 57.

' As the fabric 55 moves into the uncurling device 57, its edge 56 is guided onto the points '59 projecting from the first of the wheels 58 by means of wire guides 66. The movement of the fabric 55 causes the first of the wheels 58 to rotate so that the inclination of the periphery of said wheel will stretch the said fabric transversely of its length and keep the edge 56 from curling. As the fabric 55 continues to move through the uncurling device 57, its edge 56 will drop off the projections 59 on the first of the wheels 58, will be picked up by the projections 59 on the second of said wheels, will drop off from the said projections and, finally, will be picked up by the projections on the third of said wheels, all the while being maintained in a flat, taut state.

Positioned below the fabric 55 and underneath the uncurling device 57 is a heating assembly, indicated generally by reference numeral 67. The heating assembly 67 comprises a metal block 68 in which is positioned an electrical heating cartridge 69. The block 68 is embedded in a mass of thermal insulation 71 and is supported by a bracket 72 to which it is fastened by a bolt and nut assembly 73. The heat radiated from the heating assembly 67 sets the stitches in the edge portion of the fabric 55 so that when said fabric drops off the last of the wheels 58 it will no longer exhibit any tendency to curl.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is merely given by way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics Whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl, comprising engaging means having a series of projections extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the edge of the fabric, said projections moving along a path having a portion generally parallel to the edge of said fabric and inclined outwardly from the center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric such that the fabric is stretchedtransversely in the vicinity of the edge to a fiat, taut, condition, and means for treating only the vicinity of the edge of the fabric while it is engaged by said projections .to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

2. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl and include thermoplastic fibers, comprising engaging means having a series of projections extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the edge of the fabric, said projections moving along a path having a portion generally parallel to the edge of said fabric and inclined outwardly from the center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric such that the fabric is stretched transversely in the. vicinity of the edge to a flat, taut, condition, and means. for

heating only the vicinity of the edge of thefabric while it is engaged by said projections to set the fiber therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

3. Fabric handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engaging means comprises a rotatable wheel having a series of rigid projections extending outwardly therefrom for impaling the edge of the fabric.

4. Fabric handling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said engaging means comprises a freely rotatable wheel rotated by movement of the fabric and having a series of rigid projections extending outwardly therefrom for impaling the edge of the fabric.

5. Fabric handling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said engaging means comprises a plurality of rotatable wheels each having a series of rigid projections extending outwardly therefrom for impaling the edge of the fabric, said wheels being arranged along a line generally parallel to the edge of the fabric.

6. Fabric handling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said heating means comprises radiant heating means disposed adjacent said engaging means.

7. A method for reducing the curl in a fabric whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl and include thermoplastic fibers, comprising advancing the fabric and posi tively engaging the margin of a curled edge of the web progressively and simultaneously at a number of spaced apart points throughout a substantial length of the margin and puiling laterally .on the fabric at said points while retaining the fabric at the other edge from movement toward said points, said pulling increasing towards a zone of maximum lateral extension from the center of the fabric at which zone the fabric is transversely stretched to a flat, taut condition, heating said fabric only in the vicinity of said edge in the zone of maximum extension to set the edge, and subsequently progressively releasing the heat-set edge from'said pulling engagement.

8. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl, comprising an endless member having a series of projections extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the edge of the fabric, said endless member moving along a path having a portion generallyparallel to the edge of said fabric and inclined outwardly fromthe center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric such that the fabric is stretched transversely in the vicinity of the edge to a flat, taut, condition, and means for treating only the vicinity of the edge of the fabric while it is engaged by said projections to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

9. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl and include thermoplastic fibers,

comprising an endless member having a series of pro-' jections extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the edge of the fabric, said endless member moving along a path having a portion generally parallel to the edge of said fabric and inclined outwardly from the center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric such that the fabric is stretched transversely in the vicinity of the edge to a fiat, taut, condition, and means for heating only the vicinity of the edge of the fabric while it is engaged by said projections to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

10. Fabric handling apparatus'for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl and include thermoplastic fibers, comprising an endless chain having a series of projections extending outwardly from the links thereof for engaging the edge of the fabric, guide means directing said chain along a path having a portion generally parallel to the edge of said fabric and inclined outwardly from the center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric such that the fabric is stretched transversely in the vicinity of the edge to a flat, taut, condition, and means for heating only the vicinity of the edge of the fabric While it is engaged by said projections to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

11. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl and include thermoplastic fibers, comprising anendless chain having a series of projections extending outwardly from the links thereof for engaging the edge of the fabric, guide means directing said chain along a path having a portion generally parallel to the edge of said fabric and inclined outwardly from the center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric such that the fabric is stretched transversely in the vicinity of the edge to a flat, taut, condition, said chain being freely movable around said guide means by, the motion of the fabric, and means for heating only the vicinity of the edge of the fabric while it is engaged by said projections to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

12. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl and include thermoplastic fibers, comprising an endless chain having a series of projections extending outwardly from the links thereof for engaging the edge of the fabric, a flatplate around the periphery of which the chain is trained for directing said chain along a path having a portion generally parallel to the edge of said fabric and inclined outwardly from the center of the fabric in the direction of movement of the fabric such that the fabric is stretched transversely in the vicinity of the edge to a flat, taut, condition, said chain being freely movable around said guide means by the motion of the fabric, and means for heating only the vicinity of the edge of the fabric while it is engaged by said projections to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections. e

13. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl, comprising a plurality of rotatable wheels each having a series of projections extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the edge of the fabric such that the fabric is stretched transversely in the vicinity of the edge to a flat, taut, condition, said wheels being freely rotatable by the motion of the fabric, said wheels being arranged along a line generally parallel to the edge of said fabric, andrneans for heating only the vicinity of the edge of the fabric while it is engaged by said projections to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

14. Fabric handling apparatus for fabrics whose edges exhibit a tendency to curl and include thermoplastic fibers, comprising a plurality of overlapped rotatable wheels each having a series of projections extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the edge of the fabric, said wheels being freely rotatable by the motion of the fabric and said wheels being arranged along a line generally parallel to the edge of said fabric, and means for heating the edge of the fabric while it is engaged by said projections to set the fibers therein so that the edge of the fabric will not curl when it is released from said projections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Apr. 19, 1921 

